'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' Fan Review: Twitter declares HBO drama 'a hit'

'What a great opening episode of #WinningTime ! It finds inventive ways to tell a story and keeps you laughing.#HBOMax,' one of the tweets read
Quincy Isiah as Magic Johnson in a still from 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' (HBO)
Quincy Isiah as Magic Johnson in a still from 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' (HBO)

'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' is already a massive hit according to fans who caught the HBO sports drama's premiere on Sunday (March 6).  The series opener explored the story of how Dr Jerry Buss (John C Reily) brought the Los Angeles Lakers and went on draft superstar Earvin 'Magic' Johnson (Quincy Isiah) in 1979. It was a dramatized version no doubt, but the crisp writing and the stellar performances by the cast had the audience in rapt attention.

Also starring in key roles in the opener was Jason Clark as Lakers head coach Jerry West, Gaby Hoffmann as Claire Rothman, Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss, Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr., Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon.

RELATED ARTICLES

HBO's 'Winning Time': Who is Solomon Hughes? Meet Pro hooper who plays Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

'Winning Time': When Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis and retirement shocked the world

"If you a Lakers fan this a must-watch, i never knew jerry west was such a hater lmao #WinningTime," one of the comments read. "What a great opening episode of #WinningTime ! It finds inventive ways to tell a story and keeps you laughing.#HBOMax," another tweet read. "First episode was so much fun. Love the Magic and Jerry dynamic #WinningTime," a fan remarked. "I know it’s unauthorized, heavily sensationalist, probably majority fictionalized, but goddamit #WinningTime ‘s first episode was good!" one of the tweets said.

Trust the non-Lakers fan taking a dig, but liking the show and Johnson.  "The entire Lakers organization were some assholes until Magic got there lol #WinningTime," one of the fans wrote. The declarations of the show's future came ib thick and fast. "Show’s going to be a hit #WinningTime," one of the fans opined. "Yo thoroughly enjoyed the #WinningTime pilot episode. Great casting and love the vintage look of the cinematography," one of the fans tweeted.

"Between @jeffpearlman story and Adam McKay's vision, #WinningTime is going to be an absolute masterpiece," another tweet read. "#WinningTime is incredible...and Jason Clarke as Jerry West is some of the finest casting in recent memory," one of the fans commented.



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

What are your thoughts in the season premiere of 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty'?

'Winning Time' airs Sunday nights at 9 pm ET on HBO.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Alfonso Cuarón’s Apple TV thriller 'Ascension' follows a documentary filmmaker investigating a mysterious cult.
2026-10-26T20:20:13.000Z
‘Coven Academy’ has a Season 2 update as Disney shares the teen drama’s streaming figures.
2026-10-26T20:01:59.000Z
Fox’s 'Baywatch' reboot follows Stephen Amell as Hobie Buchannon, whose life changes when his previously unknown daughter arrives.
2026-10-26T19:44:57.000Z
‘Ascent’ adds a familiar face to play the lifelong mentor of Viola Davis’ corporate fixer.
2026-10-26T18:11:08.000Z
Hit horror podcast 'The Black Tapes' is getting an eight-episode supernatural drama about paranormal investigations.
2026-10-26T18:03:18.000Z
Mary Camden, aka Jessica Biel, talks about the storylines and the safe set she wants around the Camdens
2026-10-26T09:57:21.000Z
The show has adapted two of Jack Carr's novels so far, and the third book sends Reece to a ranch
2026-10-26T09:14:16.000Z
Show creator Erin Foster explains how her own marriage could shape Joanne and Noah’s future
2026-10-26T05:32:46.000Z
‘Tracker’ Season 4 introduces Brian Stepanek as Elias Williams, a religious fanatic whose disturbing actions lead Colter Shaw to a missing woman and a dark family secret
2026-10-26T04:57:18.000Z
After Cal finds a lead, the team is sent to investigate the potential threat, ending with a dangerous cliffhanger.
2026-10-26T04:29:43.000Z